About The Event
APWA September Luncheon
Sustainability Roundtable: Sustainability in Arizona's Public Works, Today and Tomorrow
Topic Name:
Sustainability in the Public Works Sector – Now & Tomorrow
Brief Topic Description:
With a panel of sustainability leaders from diverse organizations, we will discuss current sustainability initiatives in progress as well as planned initiatives moving forward.
Panelists:
Mike Gent
Public Works Director, City of Surprise
Mike joined the City of Surprise, Arizona in 2013 after moving from the Pacific Northwest. Mike earned a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Norwich University with a concentration in Public Works, and the EnvisionTM Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). Previously involved in the construction, operation and maintenance of LEED Platinum, LEED Gold and LEED Silver facilities. Mike is working to maintain the momentum of incorporating sustainability into all decision-making and business processes.
Scott Bouchie
Environmental Management and Sustainability Director, City of Mesa
Scott is the Director of the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department at the City of Mesa. He is responsible for managing the collection and disposal of the City of Mesa trash and recycling, environmental compliance and the implementation and tracking of Mesa’s sustainability initiatives. Scott has over 20 years of experience in the environmental field and has been with the City of Mesa for 17 years. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Arizona State University.
Kevin Thornton, PE, ENV, SP, STP
Senior Project Manager, PSOMAS
Kevin has more than 20 years of experience in transportation engineering. His experience includes working for the Federal Lands program at FHWA, the Assistant Director of Public Works for the Town of Marana, and has been with Psomas for the past 10 years serving as a Senior Project Manager and as the Director of Sustainability. Kevin is one of the only engineers in Arizona accredited with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure and Greenroads as a sustainability professional. Some of his work in this field has been published in CE News Magazine.
Dan Spitza
Vice President, Achen-Gardner Construction
Dan is a Vice President at Achen-Gardner Construction, LLC and focuses his efforts on managing the firm’s design phase services and industry relationships. Dan is a second generation civil engineer born and raised in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI). He started his career in Arizona in 1985, and throughout the years he has amassed a diverse infrastructure construction resume including the management of regionally significant projects for the ADOT, MCDOT, and almost every public agency in Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties. Dan has served as principal-in-charge on five design-build projects and managed the design phase services on 65 construction manager at risk projects and 17 job order contracting projects for more than 20 public and private clients. Achen-Gardner is a heavy civil general contractor specializing in wet utility, roadway, and heavy civil construction and has extensive experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects for both private and public sector clients throughout the Southwest. The firm is committed to providing superior construction and construction management services.
Lisa Estrada
Economic Efficiency and Sustainability Manager, City of Peoria
Lisa currently serves as the city’s first Sustainability Manager. In this role, she manages the city’s sustainability programs and initiatives. In coordination with city management, leaders and staff, she identifies opportunities that demonstrate results in resource efficiencies that lead to positive economic, environmental and societal change. Her focus is to implement the goals outlined in the council-adopted sustainability action plan. Lisa was previously responsible for the coordination and oversight of intergovernmental and regional related programs and activities in addition to special projects of strong interest to the city. She provided the City Manager’s office, Mayor and Council with strategic support to achieve desired outcomes.
Joe Giudice
Office of Environmental Project, City of Phoenix
Joe Giudice is currently the Environmental Program Administrator with the City of Phoenix. He serves as environmental policy advisor and independent resource of environmental and sustainability initiatives throughout the city. Previously served for one year as an Assistant Water Services Director in the Water Services Department and 14 years in the Public Works Department in a variety of roles, most recently as Deputy Director managing the Fleet Services Division and the Solid Waste Recycling and Disposal Division. Prior to employment with the City, worked at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for 5 years in varying roles in the Waste Program Division. Graduated from ASU in 2005 with a Master’s in Public Administration and in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science.
Moderator:
Sandi J. Garrick
Utility Liaison, Pima County
Sandi is the Utility Liaison for Pima County, working with all Public Works departments, utility providers, other municipalities and outside agencies to facilitate infrastructure design and construction for public projects and economic development. Sandi has over 15 years of experience with project and program management in both private and public sector. Sandi feels strongly that smart and sustainable planning, design and construction methods are critical to the future of our communities. Sandi is finishing up a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Built Environment through the University of Arizona.
Monthly Meeting Sponsors:
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